Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan under fire

The embattled premier accused Tokyo Electric Power Company of withholding information from the government as reactors exploded.

"The TV reported an explosion. But nothing was said to the premier's office for about an hour," a Japanese reporter overheard Mr Kan saying during a meeting with company executives. "What the hell is going on?" The 64-year-old is under pressure, accused of having "dithered" over measures to combat the devastation caused by the tsunami.

Today he said he was personally taking control of crisis management at the stricken Fukushima plant.